Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Too old to get a pup?

Curious as to other’s thoughts.

One thing about being old you usually are retired and have a lot more time to spend with your pup. Downside is that they can tie you down and can be a drain on a limited income(I don't know your financial situation) no Medicare for dogs. I think only you can answer that question your asking. List all the advantages and disadvantages of having a pup and decide.

I'm 73 and have outlived a number of fantastic dogs, every time I lose one it gets harder and harder and after the last one I swore I wouldn't do it again, after three years with out one I'm starting to waver, the pain of losing him is starting to lessen. The last one was one of the greats being retired I spent all my time with him, one year he and I spent more time on the road hunting and fishing than at home with my wife.



And he knew how to relax when at home


He did love that chair.

I am 76 and my youngest GSP is 10 months. I also have a 8 year old GSP.

Said I would never get another hunting dog. This pup has been and still is a real trial.

Left home September 3rd been hunting almost every day since.

Yesterday the pup had some really nice hard points on chukar.

YES! YES! YES!

I shoot skeet with a fellow who is 90 years old and last year he got a new Lab pup. That's optimism!!

Nothing wrong with it, as long as one has a good next home plan for a variety of reasons....

The day I wrote the above I got word that he fell, broke a rib and punctured a lung. Today, I got word that he passed away. RIP Arnie. He was 92 years old and up until his fall he was very active and mentally alert. He shot skeet two days before his fall which occurred while fishing.

Never too old to start a pup. Hardly ever. It will keep you young. I wouldn't take on a big challenge. Frankly battue has a point about a succession plan. And you might want to consult about the particular pup. Something agreeable to all.

Or a rescue dog. Seriously.

By asking this question - you deserve a pup! Why be lonely? You obviously care about your dogs and will take care of him/her through any circumstances.

Here's a pic of ours after doing some field training on Sunday (I'm behind the camera). Evie is white on tool box 11 years old. Libby roan on tool box 2 years old. Melonie in sunglasses $% years old. Heidi white in bed 5 years old and Sheila 9 years old.
BZ7A4926 by .com/photos/canvasbackdrake/]JHC, on [bleep]

I can remember several times through the years where a well-bred dog got orphaned. Don't remember an instance when someone didn't step up to take the dog in. Couple yap-yap ankle biters were not so lucky.

Michael

Thanks for the words of encouragement, there will be another pup. More to follow.

Yea!!!!

A man who is a dog man ,who has no dog has lost a big part of himself. And you know dogs need their people too. MB

Griff? Good looking dog

Nice looking group you have there!

LeakyWaders,
What breed are those dogs of yours? Great looking dogs, but I wasn't sure if those were English Setters or Brittanies or what?

Just had to put my Brittany down this morning and I can't believe I clicked on the Gun Dog Forum for the first time ever on this sight just now. I don't need another dog right now, but...

I'm 77, got a 5 month old American Lab pup back in January two weeks after our 12 year old Lab died. The pup's hunting this year and is good for his age but requires a lot of exercise whether it's a hunting day or not. He needs about a 1/2 hour of hard work every morning which is good for both of us but If I could to do it over I'd have looked a little longer for an older dog.

Heya,

They are small munsterlanders. One's on my lap as I type and two are snuggling trying to get there...

Wow. Very cool. I can't say that I'm a really knowledgeable dog guy, but I had never heard of munsterlanders until just now. They are excellent looking dogs. I'd like to learn more about them and I don't want to hijack this thread anymore than I already have. If you have a recommended site or place to get decent information on them, I'd be very interested. Thanks!

I've got Large Munsterlanders, a different breed than the Small Munsterlanders, not just a size difference. But they are both versatile gun dogs orginating from the Munster area of Germany. Here are links to the breed clubs.

http://www.largemunsterlander.org/
https://www.smcna.org/
https://klm-gna.org/

Thanks!

Not a pup, but a friend , about 60, was thinking he was too old for planting trees. Saw an ad for black walnut trees for free and said what the hell. Guy giving them away was 92...and had planted a couple himself. We shouldn't quit before we're in the ground.

Should keep you young.

I'm 63 years old and do herding competition with my Australian Cattle Dogs. I lost my best friend, a red heeler, a couple years ago. Losing him tore me up. In November, I flew to Omaha, drove up to Sioux Falls and met the breeder of my new red buddy. Yep, he and my female keep me young. He's a handful but I couldn't be happier. Dogs don't live long enough. It would be a heck of a lot easier to lose them if they lived to be 50 or 60. Never think you are too old, your new puppy will love you forever. JMHO